Thrombophlebitis as a Complication of Severe Catatonia

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Abstract
To the Editor.— During 1971, 172 women were admitted to one division of St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Four were considered to be suffering from schizophrenia, catatonic type, withdrawn. In two of these women the condition was severe enough to require gavage feeding. Both patients developed thrombophlebitis; one case was probably complicated by a pulmonary embolus. Neither thrombophlebitis nor pulmonary embolization were reported in any of the 168 patients with other forms of mental illness. This was the first admission to St. Elizabeth's Hospital for both women, aged 31 and 58. Neither was pregnant, receiving oral contraceptives, post surgical, had a history of thrombophlebitis or varicosities, nor was there evidence of neoplasm, infection, or other recognized causes of thrombophlebitis.1 It is my impression that the following sequence of events probably contributed to the phlebitis. Both patients were without any oral intake for at least 24 hours prior to their first gavage

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